Juncker and Di Rupo discuss EU summit

Elio Di Rupo's first foreign visit brought him to Luxembourg, where he met Premier Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss bilateral meetings and the EU summit in January.

14.03.2012

(CS) Elio Di Rupo's first foreign visit brought him to Luxembourg, where he met Premier Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss bilateral meetings and the EU summit in January.

After taking office in December, the visit by Di Rupo marks the first of its kind in almost two years, a time which saw the Grand Duchy's neighbour without a government.

A friendly meeting between the two leading men brought a planned revival of the bilateral summits to discuss matters between Luxembourg and Belgium, with the first planned before the summer break. Additionally, a meeting between the Benelux leaders is planned to maintain the group's leading role in the future, according to Di Rupo.

With few issues to discuss between the neighbours, Juncker and Di Rupo focussed on the upcoming EU summit in Brussels on January 30.

Juncker and Di Rupo were in unison saying they would reject criticism of the indexation of wages by other EU members states. Belgium and Luxembourg are currently the only EU member states to peg wages to inflation changes.

They also agreed that the summit needed to bring underway measures to promote growth and employment.

Belgium has been taking first steps to consolidate its budget, with 11.3 billion euros in savings foreseen for the coming year. “Saving and growing go hand in hand,” said Di Rupo.

While no mention was made of the Belgium general strike scheduled for the day of the summit, both prime ministers continued their talks over dinner.

Before Di Rupo departs he is set to meet Grand Duke Henri as well as foreign minister Jean Asselborn.